Lincoln University in Missouri is setting the tone for a year of notable achievements with its "25 in ‘25" campaign, which highlights points of pride to continue last year's momentum aiming to uplift the institution's future. As part of these celebrations, Dr. Jerome Offord Jr., a Lincoln alumnus and Harvard Library's associate university librarian and chief diversity officer, has been announced to headline the University's Founders' Day Convocation next Thursday. He will be delivering the keynote address at this pivotal event acknowledging the institution's origins and its rich history.
Offord's role at Harvard University positions him at the forefront of diversity initiatives, enabling him to actively contribute towards organizational change in various capacities within the library sector. He aims to champion diversity through every aspect of the library's operations from the workforce compositions to services, collections, and spatial design. His return to Lincoln is a symbol of the revolving door between knowledge and service, a testament to the University's formative impact on his professional journey. The celebration is set not only to honor the past but also to lay a foundation for another 159 years of educational excellence at Lincoln University, according to Lincoln University's official announcement.
This connection is deeply personal for Offord, who is not just coming back as a celebrated figure, but as one intimately linked with the Lincoln community. Beyond his high-profile role at Harvard, he is also the president of the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation, an entity interwoven with the very reason for Lincoln University’s existence. The University, founded by Civil War veterans of the 62nd and 65th United States Colored Infantries, welcomes him back to its stage as both a prodigal son and a beacon of heritage pride.
"Lincoln University is thrilled and honored to welcome Dr. Jerome Offord, Jr. back to campus," Lincoln University President Dr. John Moseley expressed. He continues to elaborate on Offord's dedication to the university, "Dr. Offord was one of the first people I met when I got to Lincoln and his passion for this institution has always been evident. I am excited to collaborate with him in his role as the president of the 62nd & 65th Regiments Legacy Foundation because it is clear that he understands the need for Lincolnites to work together to honor the veterans who founded our storied University and to ensure that we are here for another 159 years." These words, cited from the same Lincoln University announcement, reflect the anticipation surrounding Offord's participation in the upcoming event.
The Founders' Day address, welcoming members of the public, will be hosted in Mitchell Auditorium at the Richardson Fine Arts Center located at 710 E. Dunklin St., Jefferson City, Missouri, on Lincoln's campus. Attendees can expect to witness a confluence of educational legacy and contemporary interpretation when Dr. Offord takes the stage from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. next Thursday, January 16.
